Living rooms with both a fireplace and a TV can be a layout nightmare – two focal points fighting for attention.
Mount the TV above the mantel and you’re craning your neck. Put them on different walls and furniture doesn’t know where to face. The fix is usually picking one as primary or finding a setup that lets both work without the room feeling awkward.
1. Overmantel with a Secret Hiding Place
If mounting the TV above the mantel is your only option but you’d rather keep it out of sight, try integrating it into a recessed cabinet with doors that close to hide the screen when not in use.
With this design, the area above the fireplace looks like a simple white wall when the doors are shut.
Alternatively, camouflage the TV with a wall hanging. A woven fabric piece can be lowered and raised using a Roman shade style roller system.
via DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation
2. Over an Electric Fireplace
Putting a TV directly above a mantel isn’t usually recommended, but with a gas fireplace it’s less of an issue because you have more control over heat management and direction.
This modern fireplace and TV setup wouldn’t work with a traditional fireplace and TV stand. Gas and electric fireplaces open up way more design possibilities than wood burning models.
3. Create a Room Divider
This fireplace doesn’t have typical safety features around it, so it’s likely a decorative or electric freestanding unit. Its main job is to divide the living and dining areas.
Mounting a TV above the mantel is easy here – no heat dispersal worries. This setup makes for a great room divider that also works as a lovely focal point.
via Possibilities for Design
4. Hide the Electronics
A stone facade holds both the fireplace and the TV. Built-in bookcases on either side hide all the electronic components behind the stone wall.
No mantel shelf keeps the look sleek and modern. You can position seating like a sofa and chairs further back since the raised TV doesn’t cause neck strain anymore.
5. Horseshoe Shaped Furniture Arrangement
This seating layout is perfect for movie lovers. Reclining chairs face the fireplace directly, while the sofa sits to the side.
A muted neutral color palette keeps the room bright and inviting, so nothing distracts from the viewing experience.
via Markalunas Architecture Group
6. Show Off Art
The TV and modern fireplace are noticeable, but the pair of vases under spotlights really steal the show as the featured artwork in this room.
Textured wall surfaces tie into the whole color palette in this compact, Asian inspired living area.
7. TV Recessed Into the Wall
A TV is set into a recess in the overmantel. This shows off great symmetry for a TV above a fireplace.
The blue gray, slate like doors on each side add a sophisticated feel to the room. They match perfectly with the tufted coffee table.
via Exquisite Kitchen Design
8. A Fireplace in the Corner
A small fireplace sits in the corner of a compact room. The TV is mounted on the wall next to it.
The diagonal furniture arrangement lets you comfortably view both walls and their focal points.
via KannCept Design, Inc.
9. Frame it in Wood
The TV here is framed with wood that matches the bookcases. This hides the electronics and blends with the wooden trim.
An L shaped leather sofa and a big leather tufted coffee table help create a rustic, lodge like feel.
via Copper Leaf Interior Design Studio
10. Go Lengthwise
Both the fireplace and nearby bookshelves are painted white, keeping the room bright and open.
The fireplace sits on a narrow end wall, which limits direct front facing seating. Placing sofas parallel to the longer walls gives you a more expansive seating arrangement.
via County TV & Appliance
11. Angle the TV
Here, the fireplace and bookcases run the full length of a long wall. That means you need to adjust for comfortable viewing.
The TV is mounted just above the mantel and tilted downward. This simple fix lets you watch a larger screen comfortably from a closer seat.
12. Define the Space
In this open layout, the sofa and chair arrangement clearly marks the TV and fireplace viewing zone.
Recessed ceiling lights highlight the overmantel, drawing more attention to this central feature.
13. Shiplap Fixes Everything
The electric fireplace and a large TV anchor the wall. Extending shiplap paneling over the mantel makes the wall look seamless.
Cabinetry on the left gives you plenty of room for an entertainment system.
via MK Development & Investment LLC
14. Build a Wall
A corner fireplace becomes the room’s focal point. With no nearby wall for the TV, a cabinet was built in front of windows near the fireplace to hold the screen.
Not ideal, but it’s a workable solution when the outdoor view isn’t great.
via LDa Architecture & Interiors
15. Focus on Discussion
A modern wall of stacked quartz tile sets the tone for the low electric fireplace. The TV is mounted at a comfortable viewing height for this seating layout.
This furniture arrangement prioritizes conversation among guests. The fireplace is more of a supporting player in this large room, not the main attraction.
via Francesca Owings Interior Design
16. Install a Flat Screen TV
A flat screen TV is mounted above the mantel of a traditional hearth. The unit’s ventilation is located above the screen.
This type of TV works well in this spot, with all the electronics tucked neatly inside the wall. The setup looks like poster art framed by glass door display cases.
17. TV Installed in Bookcase
An electric fireplace sits behind tempered glass against a caramel brown wall.
via Markay Johnson Construction
18. Super Sized Fireplace
This room is made for entertaining. Three sofas form a horseshoe around the handsome tan fireplace hearth.
Plenty of seating, and the TV is angled down for easy viewing.
The fireplace looks great, but the glass walls might be the real standout feature here.
19. Reclaimed Brick Fireplace
The bricks below the mantel look noticeably older than the ones above. You’d guess changes were made after the fireplace and firebox were first installed.
20. Mount a TV on the Wall
The bold red brick fireplace grabs all the attention in this room. A simple fix: mount your TV on the wall above the mantel.
Leave at least six inches between the mantel and the TV. This setup looks like it meets that clearance.
Reclining chairs make for comfortable neck positioning while watching.
via MILLER + MILLER Architectural Photography
21. Wide Wall Fireplace Idea
In a room with such broad walls, putting a TV above the fireplace is no problem. You can also add lounge chairs at each end of the sofa for extra seating.
via Talianko Design Group, LLC
22. TV and Fireplace on Adjacent Walls
A gap was left between the bookshelves on purpose to fit a TV. This lets the builder hide wires and avoid the clutter that usually comes with TV stands.
Matching the overmantel color to the creamy coffee tone of the wall unit ties everything together.
23. Frame Your TV in a Vintage Room
The TV above this fireplace is enclosed in a period style wooden frame. That helps it blend in with a room full of antique furniture.
via Renae Keller Interior Design, Inc.
24. Stone Wall Warmth
A stunning modern room with a full height stone wall as the backdrop for the fireplace.
via Ashton Woods
25. Framed TV Matches Fireplace Wall
The TV sits directly on the mantel in this Arts and Crafts style living room. It’s inside a slim, stone like frame that mirrors the look of the flagstone fireplace.
via Irvin Serrano
26. TV Fireplace Combination Wall
This TV is mounted above the overmantel. The main sound bar and speakers are visible on either side of the fireplace.
This setup works great for a relaxed living room or a family entertainment zone.
via Designing Solutions
27. Magnificent Modern TV & Fireplace Idea
This fireplace integrated into mid century modern furniture proves a fireplace and TV pairing works in any space. The seating arrangement is straightforward.
Notice the red high back chair – it’s light enough to move in front of the TV when needed.
via Martha O’Hara Interiors
28. Build Along the Long Walls
A long room often benefits from a wide TV and a wide fireplace too. This freestanding fireplace is placed on a narrower wall to keep windows clear.
Here, built in units sit behind the sofa instead of on either side of the fireplace.
via Lally Walford Interiors
29. Freestanding Corner Fireplace
A large freestanding fireplace sits in the corner of a room with tall ceilings. The TV is placed inside the bookcase on the adjacent wall, right next to the fireplace.
